Truancy laws, designed to address school absenteeism, have long been a contentious topic in American society. The recent spotlight on Vice Presidential candidate Kamala Harris’ truancy program during her tenure as California’s Attorney General has reignited this debate, revealing the complex and often unintended consequences of such laws.
Harris’ program, implemented in 2011, allowed district attorneys to charge parents with a misdemeanor if their children missed 10% of the school year without a valid reason. While the intention behind the law was to improve school attendance and reduce dropout rates, its application disproportionately affected families of color and those with disabled children.
One of the most striking examples of the law’s unintended consequences is the case of Cheree Peoples, a Black mother whose daughter suffered from sickle cell anemia. Peoples was arrested and “perp-walked” in front of cameras for her daughter’s absences, despite the fact that they were due to a legitimate medical condition. This incident highlighted the punitive nature of the law and its failure to consider the underlying reasons for absenteeism.
The fundamental flaw in Harris’ approach was the focus on punishing parents rather than addressing the root causes of truancy. By criminalizing parents, the law created a hostile environment that further alienated families from the education system. Moreover, it failed to acknowledge the complex social and economic factors that contribute to chronic absenteeism, such as poverty, lack of transportation, and health issues.
For parents of disabled children, the impact of truancy laws was particularly severe. Children with disabilities often require additional support and accommodations, which can lead to increased absences. By punishing parents for these absences, the law effectively penalized them for their children’s disabilities.
The legacy of Harris’ truancy program serves as a cautionary tale about the limitations of using the criminal justice system to address social issues. It underscores the importance of understanding the underlying causes of truancy and implementing solutions that are supportive rather than punitive.
Truancy laws, in their current form, shape American culture by reinforcing the notion that parents are solely responsible for their children’s education, regardless of the challenges they may face. They perpetuate a system that disproportionately punishes marginalized communities and fails to address the systemic inequities that contribute to chronic absenteeism.
Moving forward, it is essential to reimagine truancy laws in a way that prioritizes support and collaboration over punishment. This includes investing in resources that address the root causes of absenteeism, such as providing transportation, healthcare, and social services to families in need. By shifting the focus from blame to support, we can create a more equitable and effective approach to improving school attendance and ensuring that all children have the opportunity to succeed.
Truancy laws can damage the relationship between parents and schools by:
- Creating a punitive and adversarial environment that makes parents feel like they are being blamed for their children’s absences.
- Undermining trust between parents and school officials.
- Making parents less likely to reach out to schools for help with their children’s educational needs.
Specific examples of how truancy laws have negatively impacted the relationship between parents and schools include:
- Cheree Peoples’ Case: Cheree Peoples, a mother whose daughter had sickle cell anemia, was arrested and publicly shamed for her daughter’s medically necessary absences. This created a hostile environment and broke down trust between Peoples and her daughter’s school.
- Focus on Blame: Truancy laws often place the blame for absences solely on parents, regardless of the underlying causes. This can lead to resentment and defensiveness from parents, making them less likely to cooperate with school officials.
- Fear of Legal Consequences: The threat of fines, jail time, or other legal penalties can create a climate of fear among parents, discouraging them from communicating openly with schools about their children’s attendance issues.
- Reduced Parental Involvement: When parents feel criminalized or blamed, they may become less involved in their children’s education, leading to further academic and social problems.
These examples illustrate how truancy laws can create a adversarial relationship between parents and schools, hindering communication and collaboration that are essential for student success.
The main criticism of Kamala Harris’ truancy program was that it focused on punishing parents rather than addressing the root causes of truancy, such as poverty, lack of transportation, and health issues. This punitive approach disproportionately affected families of color and those with disabled children. Kamala Harris’ truancy program damaged the relationship between parents and schools by creating a punitive and adversarial environment, undermining trust, and making parents less likely to reach out for help. This was especially true for families of color and those with disabled children.
To protect children with disabilities:
- Ensure equal access to education: Enforce laws that mandate accommodations and support for students with disabilities, ensuring they can fully participate in school.
- Address underlying issues: Instead of punishing parents for absences related to a child’s disability, provide resources and support to address the root causes of those absences. This could include access to healthcare, transportation, and social services.
- Promote understanding and awareness: Educate school staff, students, and the community about the needs of children with disabilities, fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment.
- Empower parents: Involve parents in decision-making processes related to their child’s education and well-being, and provide them with information and resources to advocate for their child’s needs.
- Shift focus from blame to support: Move away from punitive measures and towards a collaborative approach that focuses on understanding and addressing the challenges faced by children with disabilities and their families.
Kamala Harris’ truancy program disproportionately affected families of color and those with disabled children because these communities are more likely to face the underlying social and economic factors that contribute to chronic absenteeism, such as poverty, lack of transportation, and health issues. Additionally, these communities may have less access to resources and support to address these issues.